Letters

For the last seven years our local Amnesty International group has petitioned Chinese government officials on behalf of prisoner of conscience Shi Tao, a journalist and poet who was sentenced to 10 years in prison for an e-mail he sent in 2004. During that time many members of our community have generously participated in our campaign by signing petitions, writing to government officials and sending letters of support and encouragement to Shi Tao himself in prison.

Every Christmas, Rough Rider Motorcycle Rally, Inc. fundraises and sponsors Christmas presents for local children associated with organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern New Mexico and Ride to Pride. Presents include items such as coats, shoes, clothing, books, school supplies and a toy for each child. The gifts are distributed by Santa at an annual Christmas party.

Six of us in three canoes were paddling tandem on a whitewater river, the Yampa, which is a tributary of the Colorado. My canoe partner, Fred, was one of the best I’ve ever had. We read the river the same way and anticipated each other’s moves.

Hello, fellow Mora and San Miguel residents. More than 40 percent of all methane (a gas that contributes to global warming) being released to the air we breathe here in the U.S. is created by Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas (EPA). Although not yet determined, it is being assumed the primary culprit in Texas and Oklahoma is the oil and gas industry (ergo, fracking) and dairies in Kansas.

This letter is really written for the benefit of all Catholic priests within New Mexico who come to us from Anglo congregations and are not really familiar with the Hispanic culture. One of the most beautiful things that happens at a funeral for a Hispanic person is when the Penitentes, the brothers from la morada (morada) means a place of mourning, pray the rosary and sing the alabados, asking our Lord to take the soul in his hands and let them into heaven.

I was astonished to find the Public Regulation Commission’s voting results on the production of solar energy in New Mexico. It’s amazing to know that New Jersey currently creates more solar energy than we do already, but now that 1 kilowatt-hour of solar energy is worth two credits, it cuts our value of solar energy production in half. This vote has just made the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard of reaching 15 percent by 2015 seem impossible.

Should a student receive double the credit for doing the minimum work required? If not, why should utility companies be allowed to?

On Wednesday, Nov. 20, the Public Regulation Commission adjusted a rule allowing companies to receive double, and even triple the credit of a “Renewable Energy Certificate” for using renewable energy resources such as solar, biomass, and geothermal energy. Instead of a 1:1 ratio of one credit per 1 kilowatt-hour of renewable energy, companies will receive more certificates for using the same amount of renewable energy.

The City Utilities is a business? I would think it would be convenient for one to pay one’s bill after hours, like an automated system or something. And have emergency costumer service that would immediately address any gas or water leaks without charge! Sadly there is not only charges associated with turning on and off services, but after hours it can be nearly impossible to get any help! The property taxes have already risen, and now the gas, whoa!